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Hob Gadling was by default, a relatively forgetful man. Not so much in long-term memory, but when it came to short-term stuff like dates or events – he was hopeless. He’d never found himself forgetting a date with his stranger, however, not until today. He was of course happy to have his stranger - Dream, back, but it had left him rather off-kilter when they’d agreed to meet once a fortnight instead of once every hundred years. So far it had been going well, and Hob was enjoying getting to know what he now knew was an anthropomorphic personification of the collective unconscious. He wasn’t completely used to the new routine though, and so this found him standing outside his house next to The New Inn at 2pm on a Friday in late October facing his friend.
To his credit, he only jumped a small amount. Dream was a little intimidating unless you got to know him - and even then, Hob admitted he probably would still make the bravest man shit himself if you came across him in a darkened alleyway. Gathering himself back together Hob offers a smile, which is returned. He wasn’t sure he’d get used to that, but Dream was certainly different since returning after his capture (which he’d still yet to truly talk about).
“Hello there. Didn’t expect to see you until next Friday,” Hob pauses, they’d met the Friday before last, so - oh. It means Dream isn’t here by mistake, he’d forgotten a meeting. Dream seems to realise this around the same, and Hob could see his face falling just a little. It’d not be noticeable by a regular person, but Hob knows Dream’s face - perhaps thought about it a little too much to not see the disappointment there. “Shit, Dream. I have a class, I agreed to take it at the last minute as my colleague was busy. I promise it isn’t you! I’ve just had the most hectic week and I completely forgot!”
Dream seems to regain his slight slip in facial expression.
“A class? Could I?” Dream pauses, clearly not sure he should ask whatever he was about to. Eventually, he spoke again. “Could I perhaps join, I would be interested to see how you spend your time currently. I don’t believe you were teaching before I went- before I was captured.”
Hob finds himself quite surprised, Dream was certainly changed.
“I’d love that, but I’m not sure you’re the type of person the class would be able to ignore. I’d get a million questions about my goth boyfriend sitting at the back of the room and they wouldn’t focus on the lecture. They love winding me up you see.”
An amused expression makes its way onto Dream's face. “Boyfriend?”
Hob splutters, going bright red. He’d meant it is a joke but maybe Dream hadn’t taken it as such. In an attempt to distract Dream from his mistake, he decides to allow the Endless to come with him, hopefully, his class would go easy on him today. God knows he needs it. “You know what? Sure, just try and make yourself as unnoticeable as possible.”
“I can be unnoticeable Hob Gadling, don’t worry,” Dream smiles at him again and Hob finds himself glad Dream didn’t always smile like this. Not that he isn’t happy to see that Dream feels comfortable smiling in front of him, but he’s pretty certain his bisexual crisis of the 1700s would have come even earlier.
“Sure you can,” Hob says, chuckling to himself, “Right, come on then.”
Hob holds his arm ahead of him to gesture they need to get a move on. Dream doesn’t seem to get the hint. “We’re going to the bus stop Dream?”
“Bus stop?”
“Surely you know what a bus stop is. You’ve got to have come across one of those in a dream, so many of us dream about shit like missing the bus.”
Dream blinks slowly and then withdraws a bag from his pocket, his sand Hob realises. “We do not require the bus Hob; I can simply take us there.”
Hob laughs out loud but stops when it causes Dream to frown. Obviously, Dream of the Endless hasn’t ever had to use public transportation and Hob sold his car a few years back, he found he never used it living in London. “Sorry duck, I sold the car, and I don’t know how I’d react to that sand of yours, can’t have me getting motion sick before my lecture. Besides, I like the journey.”
Dream squints at Hob but relents and puts his sand back into his pocket. He begins to walk in the direction Hob pointed to.
On the way to the bus stop it sinks in that Hob is really going to take an Endless on the 65 bus route. Over 600 years of life and yet somehow, he thinks it may well be one of the strangest things he’s done. They reach the stop just in time but as the bus pulls in he realises Dream likely doesn’t have a bank card to pay the fare. He thanks himself quietly that he brought both his Oyster card and contactless and passes the former back to his companion.
“What is this?” Dream looks incredibly confused, holding the card out in front of him.
“To pay for the bus.”
“I do not need to pay; he will forget he even saw me.”
As funny as Hob finds the idea, he’d rather not risk it.
“Just tap it on the reader,” Hob points to the payment point as the bus doors open, “No need to speak to anyone.”
Dream sighs but taps the card and pockets it as they get on the bus. Hob hopes that means Dream is planning to use it to come back with him later. At the thought, his brain unhelpfully provides a series of graphic images of what he’d like Dream and himself to do later. Next to him, Dream stiffens slightly, but he relaxes just as quickly so Hob thinks nothing of it.
Their legs keep brushing together and Hob finds his face warming despite the cool weather outside. They sit in silence for around 10 minutes before Dream finally speaks.
“So, Hob, how have you been keeping?”
“I’ve been alright I guess, got a nasty flu last week but got over it pretty quick given the whole- immortal thing.”
Dream’s face grows increasingly concerned. “I thought you couldn’t get ill. I’ll have to speak to my sister to rectify that immediately.”
Hob smirks at his friend, of course he’d think being put out of action for a few days was the end of the world. Honestly, Hob got over these things so quickly he never was sick for long, definitely not worth disturbing the anthropomorphic personification of Death for.
“Dream, love I don’t think you need to bother your sister for that.”
“But it is important, you mustn’t get ill too often.”
“Why not?”
Dream huffs, clearly reluctant to respond, “Because if you do, you may find yourself thinking life isn’t of the same quality that it is used to be.”
“And what?” Hob asks, “Do you really think I’ll decide I’m done with living just because I got the flu?”
A moments silence and Hob realises that is in fact what Dream is thinking. Horrified and yet warmed by his friend’s concern he places his on top of Dream’s without thinking. “I’m not going anywhere, got so much to live for still.”
Dream’s lips curve up at the corner of his mouth and Hob once again finds himself wishing he could kiss that smile. If he didn’t know any better he’d have sworn Dream’s smirk got slightly bigger at the thought, but his friend couldn’t read his thoughts - surely? Quickly, he removes his hand from on top of Dream’s. They sit in silence once again as the bus bumps over another pothole.
Throughout the journey Hob finds Dream drifting close towards him, if that’s even possible considering how damn small the seats are. Each turn in the road causes Dream to lean closer in to Hob’s side and Hob certainly isn’t going to complain. Eventually, Hob leans over and rings the bell to get off at the next stop closest to campus. They both stand and exit the bus through the doors at the back.
“Well, welcome to my university,” Hob gestures towards the buildings in front of him, including a library that was built a few years ago. Dream merely nods as a response, and Hob doesn’t even know why he expected anything different. “Come on, it’s this way to the lecture theatre, only got about 10 minutes until the students are going to arrive.”
With that, they both wander towards the building straight ahead of them. Hob silently hopes Dream just looks like a brooding illustration student with too much product in his hair, and not one of the oldest beings in the universe.
***
As they enter the stale smelling lecture hall Hob quickly heads to the front podium in order to plug in his laptop. Dream follows slowly behind, tilting his head to look at the surroundings.
“It’s not very fancy,” Hob finds himself saying, “They spent all that money on the new library, but they still haven’t updated this room.”
Dream chuckles, a deep golden sound. “I don’t find that particularly surprising. You wouldn’t be the first academic to have bad dreams about the misuse of funding in the education system.”
Hob snorts, of course his friend would’ve picked up on the stress fuelled dreams of his colleagues. He finishes plugging in everything and looks up to find Dream staring at him with a slightly odd expression. He realises his sleeves have rolled up as he’s been moving and quickly pulls them down again which seems to snap Dream out of his trance.
“How you planning to stay unnoticed then?” Hob asks. Dream is silent for a second before he begins to morph and shift, his form elongating and shrinking until there is a small black cat sat right where his friend was just moments ago. Is this what Dream meant by inconspicuous? If so, he clearly hasn’t realised the effect a cute and fluffy animal can have on a bunch of students.
“Dream, I’m not sure that’s going to work,” he chuckles. The cat stares right up at him and lets out a soft mewl, how is Hob supposed to argue with that? He sighs, his class will be coming in shortly no time to argue.
The cat hops up on the podium and lays down, stretching himself right out. Hob hears noises at the door and looks up to see his class filing in. They’re not a big class, and although they aren’t his regular students he recognises a fair few of them from times he has taught them before.
“Come in, get yourselves set up. We’ve got a really interesting session today and if we get through it quick enough we can all get home for a nice long weekend. Before I start, is anyone allergic to cats?” At the question the students, who have all now taken their seats, shake their heads. At least he’s not going to have to worry about Dream giving any of them an allergic reaction. Assuming that Dream’s cat self still can cause the same kind of allergies as normal cats? Oh well, best to stay on the side of caution.
As expected, there are plenty of cooing noises at the cat in front of them, but it seems the idea of a quicker lecture and a longer weekend takes precedent in the student’s minds.
“Right,” Hob addresses the class. “Today’s lecture is going to be on the retelling of ancient history through a heteronormative lens. In other words, things were often not as straight as many historians would have you believe. For example – has anyone heard of Achilles and Patroclus?”
As expected, a fair number of hands shoot up.
“Well, as a lot of translations would have you believe they were cousins, or merely comrades…” As Hob continues talking, Dream merely stays comfortably set on the podium, head in his paws.
***
The session actually goes really well, Hob thinks. He’s actually really glad Dream came along today. He won’t admit it, but ever since his friend came back he’s found himself more on edge. He’s always had a bit of an issue with anxiety, but not knowing whether or not his friend is going to disappear again has really done a number on his mental health. Luckily Dream seemed very content to just listen the whole time in cat form. As the class are packing up their notes he allows himself to think about what it would have been like if Dream had been sitting in his usual form at the back of his class, he’s pretty certain he’d have been in trouble for making eyes at a student for a start.
A soft hand on top of his, perhaps that hand on other parts of him after the lecture. The podium as a surface to lean against as his friend thrusts into him repeatedly. Breathy moans, trying to be quiet to avoid getting caught. Pale alabaster skin and a slim defined body…
Hob snaps out of his daydream quickly. Thankfully he wasn’t in his own head for too long and his students haven’t noticed. Dream is looking back at him, but he looks away again quickly. Several students approach the podium.
“Can we pet the cat, Robert?” One girl asks, he remembers her from a literary analysis seminar a few weeks ago. At the question Dream looks up and Hob stares back. He’s about to say the cat doesn’t want to be touched right now when he sees Dream give a small incline of his head. In slight disbelief he nods at the student.
“Yeah, sure. His name’s, uhm…” Hob panics, what does someone call Dream as a cat? “His name is Snuggles.”
Hob tries not to laugh as Dream makes a sound like coughing up a furball, he’ll have to apologise to his friend, but the temptation was too much. The students head towards Dream, or Snuggles, and pet him. Hob nearly chokes on a laugh when he realises Dream is purring. As Snuggles is being lathered with attention Hob sees a student with a familiar face approach him.
“So, Professor. I was stuck on this assignment we have for next week. I know you aren’t our usual teacher for this class but I was wondering if you’d be willing to look over my work. Perhaps we could get a coffee in the canteen?” The student looks at him through round-rimmed glasses. Hob is vaguely aware of Dream watching the interaction.
“Oh, hello Michael. I appreciate you asking, but, I am incredibly busy.” Michael, Hob now remembers his name from previous approaches, looks slightly dejected but still offers a small smile. He swallows and Hob sees his Adam’s apple move with the motion.
“Anything I can help with professor?”
“No, it’s all good Michael. Speak to your usual tutor if you’re having issues.” Michael seems to get the hint that his professor will unfortunately not be trying to lose his job today and steps away, heading over to pet Dream.
All the other students have left, Hob notices, so when Michael goes to pet Snuggles and he lunges suddenly at his arm no one is left to hear his sharp cry. Perhaps he will be losing his job after all.
Michael looks up, and Hob breathes a sigh of relief when he realises that Dream must have just been using padded paws due to the absence of any scratch.
“Sorry Michael, he must just be exhausted, long day you know?”
Michael nods, backing away slowly from Dream who doesn’t take his eyes off the student until he leaves the room.
“What was that?” Hob asks, his friend already shifting back into his usual shape. In the back of his mind he’d wondered if Dream would shift back with clothes intact and it turns out he was disappointingly correct.
Dream doesn’t even have the dignity to look sorry.
“I didn’t hurt him Hob. Despite the fact some may argue he deserves it after his approach on you,” Dream takes a step closer so they are standing face to face and Hob can feel the breath on his face, “You gave a very good lecture; I was fascinated indeed.”
Hob cannot help but notice that Dream’s demeanour has changed since before the lecture. He’s even closer than he used to stand and doesn’t seem to be stepping back. Hob can’t help it as his eyes drop to his lips.
“Dream, you can’t just attack my students. I could lose my job.”
“As I said, I wouldn’t hurt them. Also, I would advise you to not push the matter seeing as how you referred to me as, Snuggles.”
Hob snorts, and within seconds the pair are both laughing. Dream in a slightly more reserved manner, but even so. After a few moments Dream looks up directly into Hob’s eyes. From this close up he can see the detail of Dream’s eyes, including the moving galaxy seeming to traverse across his irises.
“Forgive me, I had hoped…” Dream swallows, “I can hear your daydreams.”
Hob feels as though he’s been dunked in a bucket of ice at the statement.
“I wasn’t happy with him flirting with you, least of all because I heard you wish to do such things with me, as I wish to do with you,” Dream starts to step back as Hob attempts to process what he’s hearing. Clearly he feels the silence means rejection, so Hob reaches forward and pulls Dream until he is flush against his body.
Hob takes the idiot’s head in his hands, his stubborn, jealous, Dream, and kisses him like he’s been missing out on it for hundreds of years. Which, he supposes he has.
***
Dream’s mouth moves against his, pushing Hob until he’s backed into the podium.
“I saw you liked this, that you wanted this.”
Hob barely manages to grunt an affirmative before his mouth is covered again. He tries to stabilise himself, placing his hands on either side of him, but Dream’s force is relentless as he begins to grind down on Hob. A small whimper escapes Hob’s mouth as their cocks brush together and he puts a hand to stop Dream for a moment. They’re both breathing heavily as they pull away.
“I very much want to continue this love,” Hob twists Dream’s hair around his finger as he speaks, “But I’m afraid I’d lose my job if anyone came in here right now. My office has a lock though.”
“Very well, but I refuse to walk, we use the sand. I do not wish to wait a minute longer.”
Hob laughs but accepts the arm Dream offers him as sand whips in his eyes.
***
The moment they arrive in Hob’s office, he locks the door. Luckily, travelling via sand didn’t cause any motion sickness, just a slight loss of feeling to his extremities. Dream backs him against the door and connects their mouths once more. He feels Dream’s tongue ask for entry and happily grants it, moaning into his mouth as the friction builds between them. Unable to wait a second more he moves his hands slowly from where they were on Dream’s hips to lower, feeling the fabric of his jeans. When he receives no objection his hands continue their journey until he is gripping Dream’s already hard crotch. The contact causes Dream to whimper slightly and Hob nearly comes from the noise alone.
Dream quickly pulls on Hob’s tie as he moves him over to his desk. He finds himself rammed back against the surface, a slight panic clenching over his heart as he hears the papers fall to the floor. Dream must sense it as he draws back to look at Hob.
“It’s OK - just, those papers were organised really recently and I didn’t want to have to go back over them.”
Dream nods, and with a gesture the papers rise, and fall back in order further along the desk.
“Whilst we’re here,” Hob pants, “how do you want to do this?”
“I would like…” Dream pauses, gnawing on his lower lip.
“It’s OK, duck,” Hob encourages, “I’m honestly happy with anything.”
He plants a small kiss on Dream’s forehead, so different from the previous kisses they’ve shared. “Tell me what you need.”
“I would like you to control me. I want you inside of me.”
Hob still can’t believe what he is hearing but smiles anyway, “Of course, you’ll tell me if it’s too much?”
Dream nods and then gives an impatient grunt. Within moments Hob is twisting them around so he’s pushing Dream into the desk. Once he’s seated him comfortably on the table he drops to his knees.
“Sorry love, I can’t wait a minute longer to get my mouth on you,” Hob fumbles with Dream’s zip, but with only a small gesture Dream waves a hand and he is sitting naked on the desk.
A whine escapes the back of the Endless’ throat as Hob uses the opportunity to immediately wrap his mouth around the already leaking tip. The salty pre-come finds it way onto his tongue and Hob laps once more at the head before taking as much of Dream into his mouth as he can.
“Hob,” Dream pants, “you’re wearing too many clothes.”
“Well,” Dream groans as Hob moves back to speak, “I’ll have to move position to get my clothes…”
Within a moment his clothes have disappeared and rematerialised, folded neatly on his office chair.
“Continue.”
He certainly doesn’t need to be told twice as he swallows Dream down once again. They stay like that for a while, Hob licking and working him expertly on his tongue. Exquisite noises fall from his Endless’ mouth.
“Hob, inside me. Now.”
Hob smirks as he goes to stand, walking towards his office chair. “Promise you’ll tell me if it’s too much?”
“Yes.”
With Dream’s consent Hob reaches for the tie on the chair. In silence he gently grabs his lover’s wrists, pinning them behind his back and tying them there. He knows Dream will be able to escape them if he wished, but from the way he’s writhing around the desk he doubts that’s likely.
“You cannot hurt me,” Dream tells him as Hob moves him so he’s bent over the desk, bound and rubbing against the hard surface.
“I don’t have lube.”
“I don’t need it, I am not human.”
Sure enough when Hob goes to slide a finger into Dream’s hole it goes easily. Dream slides further onto the desk, allowing it to take his full weight.
“God, love, you’re so good for me.”
A soft noise escapes Dream as Hob adds another finger, and then another.
“Now,” Dream demands.
Hob lines himself and waits, just a little. He figures Dream should learn a little patience, before pushing in. His lover is everything he’d hoped he’d be - warm and welcoming as Hob gives a few tentative thrusts. Noises spill out of both of them now, only gaining in frequency as Dream struggles against his restraints.
“Come for me love,” Hob tells Dream when he senses him tightening around him, “Come over the edge for me.”
He reaches down and takes him in hand, giving three short, sharp tugs as his Endless releases. A combination of the wet heat of Dream’s hole, and the pressure on his own cock as his lover comes sends Hob over the edge, biting Dream’s shoulder in an effort to stay quiet. His orgasm washes over him until they both slump, happy and sated.
He unbinds Dream’s hand and sinks onto the office floor with him resting on his chest. He offers a small smile which is returned with no hesitation and Hob thinks, quite possibly, this is the happiest he’s been since his friend - now lover, walked into the White Horse over 600 years ago.